On March 12th, 2018 Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove and NJ’s 9th Legislative District presented a very important resolution recognizing the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on the state of New Jersey to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter.
THE SENATE AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
STATE HOUSE, TRENTON, N.J.
JOINT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
By Senator CONNORS, Assemblyman RUMPF and Assemblywoman GOVE
WHEREAS, The Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey are pleased to honor and salute the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter Advocacy Committee, which is highly esteemed within the Garden State, upon the auspicious occasion of its Annual Advocacy Day on March 15, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative, and irreversible neurological disease that develops over a period of years, and which leads to a loss of memory and other cognitive abilities that are serious enough to interfere with daily life; and,
WHEREAS, According to a New Jersey Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission, about thirteen percent of seniors aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and the New Jersey Department of Health currently ranks the disease as the seventh leading cause of death among this State’s residents; and,
WHEREAS, A New Jersey Family Health Survey found that 71 percent of family caregivers needed help finding services, 60 percent were lacking in basic information about the disease, and 46 percent required assistance communicating with professionals; and,
WHEREAS, New Jersey has made great strides through such praiseworthy initiatives as the MedicAlert + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return, Project Lifesaver, the Silver Alert System, the Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly – PACE, and the New Jersey Family Leave Act, which is crucial to aiding caregivers, and this State is home to several pharmaceutical companies that are developing treatments to prevent and manage Alzheimer’s; and,
WHEREAS, The Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter Advocacy Committee contends that continued education of the public and medical professionals be ongoing, respite care services and adult daycae services be expanded, an age-related test of driving skills should be explored, and residential housing options for persons with Alzheimer’s be increased; and,
WHEREAS, The outstanding efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter Advocacy Committee are commended, and offer hope to those suffering from the disease, their caregivers, and families; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey
That this Legislature hereby honors and salutes the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter Advocacy Committee, pays tribute to its meritorious record of service, commitment, and leadership, and extends sincere best wishes for its continued success in all future endeavors; and,
Be It Further Resolved, That a duly authenticated copy of this resolution, signed by the Senate President and the Assembly Speaker and attested by the Senate Secretary and the Assembly Clerk, be transmitted to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter Advocacy Committee.